Thursday, August 15, 2013

The Benefits Of Herbal Health Drinks

By Nita McKinney


Herbal health drinks are all the rage at the moment. Some are fairly cheap to buy and others are much more expensive. Herbs help to promote good health and in the past have been used to treat certain ailments. Although the mention of herbs usually means leaves such as rose-hips, , it also covers things like dandelion flowers too.

Tea is probably the most popular of all drinks. The original teas came from China and were soaked in hot water and enjoyed for their unique flavor. These days tea has all manner of different things in it, from chamomile to peppermint. And that's why the definition of tea nowadays includes plant extracts.

Tea-making has not really changed much over the years. It's a simple process of adding water to a teabag or batch of herbs and letting it infuse the water, usually for about five minutes. These days there are infusion pots, in which loose leaves and bark can be placed. The pot filters the bark and leaves as you pour, meaning you get a clear drink free of any residue every time.

If you are using fresh herbs then as a rule use two teaspoons per cup. If using dried herbs then use around one teaspoon per cup. A lot of people have a problem with the lack of sweetness in the drinks and will add honey. They do not add sugar because it does not taste as nice. Additionally, honey is a natural sugar and some people prefer to ingest natural sugars.

Herbal tonics are something that many people have started drinking. They are fairly easy to make, though it does take a while for them to become drinkable. They are made by placing fresh herbs, such as rosemary or nettles, in a jar and adding some red wine. After stirring with a wooden spoon you then seal the jar for around four weeks, to let the drink assume the flavor of the herbs. Try drinking a bit each day for maximum benefit.

If you're after a drink that helps promote well-being then be sure to choose a product that has been researched, sourced and has high quality ingredients. It might be best choose drinks that have only natural things in them, therefore avoid products that have flavoring or coloring in them. One of the best ways to do it is to make your own beverage, but there are products on the market that are nearly as good.

Peppermint tea is often used with stomach problems, such as bloating. These can be grown in the garden and once picked can be washed and used right away. Ginger is another product that has a good reputation. It's said to be great for motion sickness. Simmer a root of ginger for ten minutes, add a squeeze of fresh lemon and honey and you have something that can help fight colds.

One of the benefits of herbal health drinks is the lack of additives and things like caffeine. They can be a very versatile drink too, with many different medicinal uses. It can help calm the mind too. Some people like nothing better than to sit back with a cup of chamomile and spearmint tea and relax.




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